Former Rep. Randy Terrill was released Wednesday afternoon from the Oklahoma County jail after a judge ruled he can be free while appealing his political bribery conviction.

Former Oklahoma legislator Randy Terrill smiles Wednesday afternoon as he and his attorney, Chris Eulberg, right, return to court for a bond hearing. His trial judge ruled he can remain free while he appeals his political bribery conviction. Terrill was released from the Oklahoma County jail shortly after 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Jim Beckel - THE OKLAHOMAN

Terrill, 44, of Moore, spent Tuesday night in jail after the 12 jurors found him guilty.

“My message to the rest of the Legislature would be: You better watch your back. Because if you make the district attorney mad, you may be next,” he told reporters after leaving the jail.

District Judge Cindy Truong ruled Terrill could go home once he posted a $10,000 bond. He was released shortly after 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The judge ordered Terrill to have no contact with any witnesses in the case. “If you do, I will have your bond revoked and you will be sitting in prison,” she warned.

The judge also required Terrill to wear an ankle monitor until after the jury trial of his co-defendant, former state Sen. Debbe Leftwich. Her trial is set to begin Dec. 9.

Prosecutors opposed his release but the judge said he is not a flight risk, his crime is a nonviolent one and he does not have a prior criminal record.

His defense attorney, Chris Eulberg, told the judge, “There is a very good chance that the case could be reversed on appeal.”

Terrill appeared before the judge Wednesday afternoon in orange jail clothes, white socks and jail sandals. His hands were handcuffed in front of him and his legs were restricted by an ankle chain.

Jurors on Tuesday evening found Terrill guilty of a felony — offering a bribe to a candidate to withdraw.

Jurors agreed Terrill, a Republican, offered Leftwich, a Democrat, an $80,000-a-year state job at the medical examiner's office in 2010. Prosecutors alleged Terrill bribed her to induce her not to run for re-election to her Senate seat that year.

“The evidence was circumstantial but quite strong,” said one juror, Bill Lloyd IV, of Edmond. “The testimony was very strong.”

Jurors didn't believe Terrill, who testified in his own defense Tuesday for two hours.

MORE FROM NEWSOK

Nolan Clay was born in Oklahoma and has worked as a reporter for The Oklahoman since 1985. He covered the Oklahoma City bombing trials and witnessed bomber Tim McVeigh's execution. His investigative reports have brought down public officials,...